How it Works

How do I join other groups?

Groups are set up by individual CarbonDAQ users. The person forming the group can choose whether it's public (visible to everyone) or private (hidden). They can also choose whether anyone can join, or whether only people they invite can join. Visit the 'groups homepage' and search for existing groups (leave the search field blank to find all groups). Click on a group, then select 'join group' from the menu. If the group is open to all, you'll be signed up straight away. If not, the group owner has asked to approve requests to join and will accept or reject in their own time.

How do I view the carbon exchange?

Select 'trade' from the menu. You will see a list of all the groups you belong to. Click on the one you wish to trade in.

How do I sell carbon credits?

Go to the 'Sell Credits' area and enter the number of credits you want to sell. Click the 'current best' button to sell at the lowest price at which credits are currently being offered, or enter your own price. Remember that when you enter the price you want to sell at (your 'offer'), you need a buyer (a 'bid') prepared to buy from you at that price, or the trade won't happen and will be listed in the 'incomplete trades' section.

How do I buy carbon credits?

If you have a negative carbon credit balance, you'll need to use virtual pounds (or an equivalent incentive being used by your group) to buy carbon credits. Go to the 'buy credits' area and click the 'current best' button to buy at the best available price.

Do I have to use the current best price?

No, you may want to try and buy or sell carbon credits at a different price (either more expensive, or cheaper), in which case you should enter your bid or offer and wait until someone offers to buy from you or sell to you at that price. The information about these bids and offers will appear in the incomplete trades list on the trading page.

Do I have unlimited funds?

We have currently set the limit of 1000 units of currency (virtual pounds by default or whatever incentive your group has chosen) and carbon credits - to be in debit or in credit. This is just a figure that we felt would accomodate everyone's activity - but can easiy change later. Feedback any thoughts to carbon@rsa.org.uk

Once I make an offer to sell, can I later cancel or change that offer?

Any bid or offer that is incomplete can be cancelled. For a partially completed order you can only cancel the part that hasn't been matched to a buyer/seller. Once a transaction has gone through there is no going back!

What happens when I delete my offer, does my offer credit balance change again?

Yes – you will receive the carbon credit or virtual pounds back to your account.

Does my balance change once I make an offer, or once the trade is complete?

Your balance will only change once your bid or offer is matched by a seller or buyer. However, the amount available in your account will change. If your order is cancelled, your amount available to trade will revert to what it was prior to the order being placed.

Can I sell more carbon credits than I actually have in my account?

There is currently a maximum debit balance of 1000 carbon credits, but you need to try to balance your account at the end of the trading period.

Can I buy credits in one group I belong to and sell them in another (or vice versa)?

No – each group you belong to is separate.

Why are the bid and offer prices different for different groups?

The prices will vary from group to group because they depend on the prices for which individuals are prepared to buy and sell. This will usually be related to scarcity, ie. the fewer carbon credits available in the market, the higher the price people will be prepared to pay for them.

What is the right price for my group's credits?

There is no 'right price'. If you are the first person making a bid or offer, it's up to you! It will be interesting to see what prices carbon credits are exchanged for on CarbonDAQ (and in what currency – virtual pounds, or other incentives).

What if I need to buy or sell and there is no-one to trade with?

When a group is first created, there may not be many members and no-one yet making bids and/or offers. The best thing you can do is place your bid or your offer and wait.

What if I need to buy or sell a certain amount of credits and there are fewer than that amount available in the market?

If you need carbon credits but no-one is selling, then there may be a shortage. Time for some of your groups to change your behaviour!. If no-one is trying to buy carbon credits, then maybe the allowance level is too high.

What happens if my account goes overdrawn?

This is ok, but you need to try to balance your account by the end of the trading period (detailed of which appear in the group dashboards – which you can visit via the groups homepage). If it's not possible for everyone to balance their account, then the group hasn't been able to meet its cap – more carbon savings through behaviour changes were needed!